Outlines Of The Future Middle East?

Interesting article in tomorrow’s Jerusalem Post. Apparently King Abdullah (Jordan, not Saudi) has been coming up with some interesting proposals and mooting them around the region. The Arab states will guarantee Israel’s right to exist in exchange for a Palestinian state. The devil’s in the details, of course, but the very notion that the Arab world would not only recognize Israel’s right to exist, but actually defend it (at least on paper) is a revolutionary one. An interesting quote:

“Abdullah is understood to have canvassed the idea with the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, and with several north African states, but major barriers have been encountered in Syria, Iraq, and Iran.”

Hmmmmm….lessee now. Iranian objections may become moot if there is a pro-western popular uprising there, which is looking increasingly likely. Syria and Iraq are predictable in their opposition. Just one more reason to move them to the top of the list after we sort out Afghanistan.

Finally, note that it doesn’t say that the House of Saud is objecting. Maybe they really are getting a little nervous over there…